Metallic-fabric-assembling machine.



J. P. GAIL. METALLIC FABRIC ASSBMBLING MACHINE.

nrmomrmn 21mm 23.21, 1910.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

10 SHEETS-BHIZET 1.

J. I. GAIL.

METALLIC FABRIC ASSBMBLING MACHINE.

APPLIUATIOH FILED PEBJI, 13 10.

Patented Aug. 9. 1910.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. F. GAIL. METALLIC FABRIC ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

LPPLIOATIOY YILED US$21, 1910.

Patentd Aug. 9,19 10.

10. HEEETS-SKEET 3.

J. I. GAIL.

METALLIC 1131110 ASSEMBLING mcmnn.

APPLIOATIOI TILED 23.21. 1910.

- Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

r 1.1!}. 5 .21 2 33 i: I

J. P. GAIL. METALLIC P AIBBIO ASSEHBLIHG MACBIHBL v 1 1" Arrmoniqx PiIED rim-21. 1910. Patented Aug. 9 1910.

J. F. GAIL. KETALLIU FABBIO ASSEMBLIKG MACHINE.

LPPLIOA'HOI FILED IIIBJI. 1910.

' 967,011. mm Aug. 9, 1910.

10 lEEBTB-QHEIT 6.

illliillm' I. P. GAIL.

mLLLIU FABRIC ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOI nun 113.21, mo.

967,011. I Patented Aug .9,1910.

1O SHEETS-GREEK 7.

I. I. GAIL. IETALLIU FABRIC ABSBMBLIHG MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOI nun FEB 21 mo I. I. GAIL. IBTALLIO FABRIC. ASSEIBLIHGHACKER.

- ruin-no! r11.:n'rn.;1. mo.

, mm Aug.9,1910.

' 1o IEBETS-SEIZBT a.

w www I. P. GAIL.

- mum mamq ASSEMBLING mom,

runner rum: 122.21, mo. v

1 Patented A118. 9, 1910..

10 IBETl-SESIKT 10.

JOHN FVGAIL, 0F KENOSHA, WISCONSIN.

' METALLIC-FABRIC-ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

Application filed February 21,1910. Serial No. 545,229.

sha. in the county of Kenosha and State of 'isconsin. have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Fabric- Asscmblingllachines. of which the following is a specification.

My present invention concerns improvements in machines or appliances forform ing or assembling the parts of a metallic fabric adapted for use oncouches, beds and the like. F abrics of this general character areordinarily composed of a plurality of longitudinal elements or linkshooked together, the parallel chains so formed being connected togethertransversely by suitable wire cross links. In the particular embodimentof the invention herein set forth these cross links are formed in themachine proper and fastened or secured to the links of the longitudinalchains, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this particularar-' rangement. since the longitudinal links themselves may be made inthe machine.

One of the principal features of the present invention is the coiling ofa chain comosed of wire links adapted to form the mngitndinal elementsor members of the fabric into substantially helical form, and the crosslinks are then fastened to the adjacent parallel portions or sections ofsuch chain, the parts of the finished fabric being subsequently nnhookedat one point so as to form a flat fabric adapted for ordinary use.

By reference to the accompanying drawings a full and completeunderstanding of this invention may be had, since in such drawings 1'have illustrated a preferred and desirable embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings,-l*igure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of the appliance,certain parts being. shown in section to more clearly illustrate theconstruction; l fg. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1:Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the intermittently rotatable drum,and illustrates the means for forming and applying the cross links: Fig.4 is a fragmentary, enlarged plan view of the means for con trolling thefeeding and omission of the cross links whereby to separate the fabricsone from another: Fig. I) is a cross section on line :':5 of Fig. '3.the parts being viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 6is a section n line 6-6 of Fig. 7, illustrating the means for formingand fastening the cross links in place; Fig. 7 is a section on line 't'Tof Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an enlarged section illustrating in elevation themeans for feeding and omitting the cross links: Fig. 9 shows a sectionof the wire adapted to be formed into a cross link; Fig. 10 shows suchlink partially formed; Fig. 11 indicates the nextstep in the formationof such link. and Fig. 1'2 illustrates the finished cross link; Fig. 13is a section throughthe cam shaft, showing one of the operating cams;Fig. ll indicates the cam controlling the wire feed; Fig. 15 illustratesthe cam for moving the vpinching finger plate; Fig. 16 shows the cam forgoverning the operation of the bender useil for forming the cross links;Fig. 17 shows the cam for controlling the cutting oil of the wire; Fig.18 indicates the cam for locking and unlocking the sprocket; Fig. 19shows the cam for intermittently rotating the sprocket or chainsupporting drum; Figs. :20, :21 and :22 illustrate the parts shown inFigs. S and 7, and indicate the various steps in the formation andapplication of the cross links; Fig. 23 illustrates in perspective threeof the parts or elements for cutting and bending the cross links: Fig.24. is a horizontal section through the same part of the apparatus; Fig.25 is a bottom plan view of the portion of the appliance for cut.- tingand bending the links; Fig. 26 shows the supports for the ends of thelongitudinal links which are brought, into action during the applicationof the cross links; Fig. Qishows an enlarged fragmentary section of thefinished fabric; Fig. 28 illustrates the manner of forming the fabric,the chain composed of the longitudinal elements being arranged insubstantially helical form; Fig. 29 indicates conventionally a portionof the. fabricas it leaves the machine. showing how the two partsthereof are slightly olt'set: and Fig. shows the two ends of the fabricunhooked. with the fabric straightened out and the supporting springsapplied to its ends.

By reference to these. drawings. it will be apparent thaton a suitablebase 40. T mount a bearing 41 which accommodates the main shaft 42,having keyed thereto at 43'tlie hub 44 of an intermittently rotatablechain or fabric support or sprocket wheel 45. the drum or sprocketportion of which p ojects inwardly of the machine away from its bub it,the latter being covered by a sheet-metal drum or casing it secured tothe sprocket wheel or chain support by means of screws 47, such drumbeing slightly tapered, it dcsired, to facilitate the travel of thefinished fabric thereon. The movement. of the shaft 42 and the sprocketor chain support 45 is rotary and intermittent, and to effect or securesuch movement- I affix to shaft 42 a notched locking disk 48, the hub=19 of which is fastened to the shaft; by means of a suitable key 50, asis clearly indicated in Fig. This disk -18 is provided with a pluralityof Vshaped notches or recesses 51 in its periphcry, and cooperating withthese notches is a lock 52 normally pulled downwardly by a coiledcontractile spring 53, such lock forming part of an arm Z -l on a rockshaft 55 oscillatory in suitable bearings 55 and having rigidly fixed toitself a cam arm 56 carrying at its upper end a roller 57 (see Figs. l,2 and 5) adapted to travel outhe outer surface of a cam 58 fixed to atrans verse cam shaft, 59 driven in any suitable manner and rotatable inbearings 60 and 61. It will be apparent therefore that the cam 58positively and directly controls the locking and unlocking of shaft 42,the lock-' equipped end of tlie arm 54 being guided in its movements bya pair of spaced guides 5. 3 rising from the base of the machine. At oneside of the disk '18, and lined thereto. is a ratchet. wheel (32,cooperating with which I use a springpressed pawl 63 mounted on the endof an arm 64, the latter having in tegral therewith a hub 65 freelyrotatable on shaft 42. In order to oscillate the arm 6-1 to effect theintermittent rotation of shaft 42, a cam 66 is provided on the camshaft. 59, this cam having an inclined or beveled face cooperating witha roller 67 on the end of the arm 64 remote from its pawl 63. It shouldbe apparent therefore that, due to the rotation of the cam shaft 59, thecam 58, at the proper time, unlocks disk 48 and ratchet wheel 62, andthe latter while thus unlocked is i turned through a partial rotation bymeans of the actuation of arm 64 and pawl 63 by cam 66.

Referring now to the hollow sprocket or drum ortion of the chainsupport, it will be noticed that the cylindrical shell 45 has slots 68extended therethrough atintervals, and that on its exterior this shell45 has three parallel rows of tapered grooves 69 (Fig. 2) disposedbetween the slots 68 and adapted to accommodate the shanks of the Wirelinks of the chain. At the ends of these individual grooves 69, thesprocket or supporting drum is provided with enlarged recesses 10 forthe accommodation of the heads of the links and the hook portions of theadjacent links engaging such heads. The slots 68 extend out between thetwo inner rows of grooves 69 ause it is at this,

'o.=ition that the cross links are applied to the ;t(l ]itt'(l"ll[strands of the l'!t3llL:tll Y r spirally arranged chain. Each slot ashas projecting thereinto the tiattened ends it o" a pair of tapered pins72 (see Figs. 3, T and 26) fitted in suitable apertures or holes 73drilled in the shell. In order to permit the drilling and reaming ofthese holes, portions of the drum are omitted or cut away, and in orderto compensate for such removal of parts, I fasten to the flat surfaces"It of the drum adjacent to each of the slots US, by means of screws 75,blocks 76 of the form and style shown inFigs. 9, 3 and 21", the twooutstanding flanges 77 of each of such blocks having thereon shoulders78 in alinement with the flattened protruding ends 71 of the tapered pin72, these two parts forming supports for the end portions of the loopedheads of the links forming the chain. As is ind cated in Fig. th chain79, composed of a series of links $0 of the shape shown in Fig. '27, isfed o this s n'cx-ket wheel or drum near the bottom, so that the linksfall into the innermost series of grooves 69, the enlarged portions ofthe links being accommmlated, will be readily understood, by thecavities or riwcsses T .Xsl have shown in Fig. QT, each link 50 has twomain strands 81 slightly divergent, the head of each link being composedof a loop 8:2, and the other end of each link having two hook portions83 engaging the heads of the adjacent links, as is clearly shown. Thechain 79 when itcomes onto the sprocket wheel extends part wa around thesame, as shown in Fig. 3, and is then permitted to form a loop beneaththe sprocket, wheel, the chain then taking into the intermediate seriesof grooves (39, and after leaving these the chain forms another loopbelow the sprocket wheel and then passes into the grooves 69 of theoutermost series, and from these the fabric passes on to the ta ereddrum 4G, a considerable portion of the abric hanging below such drumout'of contact therewith. It should therefore be apparent that, althoughthe series of grooves 69 are parallel to one another on the sprocketwheel, the. chain 79 is arranged in substantially helical form thereon,and it is while the parts thereof are thus disposed that-- the crosslinks are a plied thereto, as is indicated by the meciianism describedin detail below.

Referring now to the mechanism for feeding the wire which is to beformed into the connecting cross links, it will be apparent 'from aninspection of the drawings that I provide on a dovetailed guide 84(Figs. 1 and 8) a suitable slide 85 carrying on its top an upstandingbracket S6, to which is ivo'ted or fulcrumed, on a pin an oscillatoryblock 88 carrying at its forward end a wire-engaging member 89 somewhatsharp ened at its lower end, as is indicated in Fig. 8, which permitsproper engagement with the wire. Preferably, this portion of the block88 is split at 89' (see Fig. 1), the two parts thereof being held inproper relation V a bolt or screw 90, the tightening of which causes afirm securing of the member 89 in the split portion of the block. Inorder to carry on the proper reciprocation of the slide 85 andtherocking of the block or member 88, whereby to bring about the properfeeding of the strand of wire 01, which is to be cut into sections forthe formation of cross links, I provide on shaft 59 another cam 92,traveling on the surface of which is a roller 93 on a rock arm J4suitably pivoted or fulcrumed at 05 in the base portion of bearing 01.The top end of arm 91 is connected to theupstanding portion 96 of block88 by means of a link 07 pivoted to both parts in the usual manner. Itwill therefore be apparent that when the arm 94 is rocked to the right,as indicated in Fig. 8. the block 83 will be swung on its fulcrum 87 soasto cause the member 89 to engage the wire between itself and the topof the slide, and as the latter travels along the wire is carried withit. \Vhen the arm 91 swings to the left, that is, away from the s)rocket -15, then the member or block 88 rocks so as to lift the element80 from the wire, and the slide 85 travels baekwardly without moving thewire in either direction. it being understood that the element or block88 is slotted at 98 for the accommodation of the wire.

-Wire 91 is adapted to pass through a hole 99 in a supporting member 101which is mounted above the two inner rows of grooves 09 on theintermittently rotatable chain support or sprocket 45. As is shown inFigs. 6, 7, 23 and :25. a member 100, slidingly mounted in the support101, hasthree depending prongs or fin ers, two end ones 102 adapted toengage the links in two of the grooves of the sprocket wheel or chainsupport and hold them in place during the. insertion of the cross link,and a third intermediate one 103 adapted to assist in holding the wiresection 103 in position during its bending into form to constitute across link. Attached to the front face of the slide 100, by means ofscrews 104. is a pair of cutters and bcndcrs 105 and 106 (Figs. (3 and23). the element 105 preferably being adjustably connected to the slide100 in any approved manner, as by the use of a slot 107. through whichthe attaching screws pass. The lower ends of each of the cutters andbenders 10.1 and 100 are substantially alike. each having a cutting edge108. a downwardly extended finger 109, and just inside of such fingerrounded cavity 110. Although I have stated that each of these membershas a cutting edge 108. it is to be understood that such edge of themember 105 is only used to sever the wire, the corresponding edge of theother member performing no cutting function. In front of the twonuaubers 105 and 106,1 employ a second slide 111 of substantiallyL-shapc in cross section, as shown in Fig. 7; such member at its lowererd and adjacent to the tongue 103 having a recess 112 for theaccommodation of the wire section'to be bent into a cross link. Slidablein a hole 115 in the foot 111 of the member 111, I employ a form ortongue 113 of the general shape in cross section shown in Fig. (3, itslongitudinal top edges being rounded off at- 116, beneath which beveledportions the tongue is concaved at 117. Bolted to the support 101 is anouter or face platclli' having a pair of outstanding ears 118. betweenwhich, on a. pin 119, I pivot a latch 120 adapted to engage acooperating shoulder 121 on the slide 111, as is shown in Fig. 7. Thebending of the straight wirc section so as to partially form the linktakes place over the tongue 113, while the member 111 is latched firmlyin stationary position by this means. and it should be noted that thetop end of this latch is beveled at 122 to bring about its release bymeans hereinafter indicated. Between the ears 118 on a shaft 123, Ipivot an arm 12% straddling the outer end of tongue 113 and cooperatingwith outstanding projections 125 thereon to effect withdrawal of thetongue at the proper time, one or more springs 1:26 (Fig. 3') beingemployed for pro'ecting the tongue inwardly when permitted to do so bythe arm 121. The shaft 123 is rotatable in bearings 12?, 127 on the arms118. and also in a bearing 128 rising above the bearing 61 of shaft .39,and in order that this shaft 123 may be oscillated in proper timedrelation to the other parts of the mechanism, I fasten thereto by screws129 an arm 130 which coacts with a cam projection 131 outstanding fromthe side of a cam 132 keyed to shaft 59, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 13.Itwill be apparent therefore that when this projection, 131 comesbeneath the arm 130, the shaft 123 will be rocked to effect thewithdrawal of the form or tongue 113 against the action of the one ormoresprings 126, and it should be noted that, owing to the fact that thelower end of the bifurcated arm 124 is left open, no obstruction remainstoprevent the vertical reciprocation of the member 111 and the tongue113.

In a pair of bearings 133 provided on the 142 attached thereto and toany suitable Sup ort 1 in order to cause the descent 01 the in 10;) and111 by means of those leuand 136, 1 fusion on shaft 59 the two nun 1lland 14-5. which coact with rollers Ho 21ml l-lT on the ends. of thelovers, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

lit-frlllls l now to the mechanism within the sprocket wheel -15, whichis adapted to act upon the cross links and perform some of the bendingoperations, it will be ob served that on a block 148 forming a partofthe frame or" the machine and having therein a hearing, I slidinglymount a late 14.) carrying a pair of rollers 150. 150 a upted to travelon and cooperate with the inclincd or beveled portions 151. 151 of apair of spring-separated bending arms 152 pivoted at 153 on a support154 slidable relatively to he blocl; 1% In front of the arms iiie blocl;1&9 carries on the screws or 153 a front plate 156 having top and :ndingsiioulders 157 and 158, such showers oeing of general brondV- form, asshown in Fig. 1, and the latter being supplied at the apex of its V witha wear pin or insert 159. These arms or fingers 152 are so positioned asto be directlybelow the cross-link cutting and forming members above thesprocket, and also directly below the various slots 68 when the sprocketis.

bIOllgi1t t0 its successive stationary positions, all of which isclearly indicated in Figs. 1, 6 and 7. In order to slide the plate 119and its rollers to accomplish the rocking of the bending fingers 152,that is, in order to cause them to approach one another, I employ a rockshaft 160 havingfixed thereto two arms lt' l and 182 unitedly forming alever. Arm 162 has its bottom surface near its end in contact with thehardened wear pin 15-9, and in order to maintain a tight and effectiveconnection between such arm and the two shoulders 1:37 and 158, I mount.on the hub of'the lever 161, 162, an upper arm 163, spring-pulledupwardly by the spring 161 atliai-zhed to the top partof the frame at16:2, the outer end of such arm 163 being adapted to bear against theshoulder 157, and owing to the expansion permissible bc-. tween thearm-1 162 and 163 :1 tight and eli'ective connection is maintained, atall times between this compounduirm and the sliding block or plate 119.The reciprocation of the latter is occasioned or brought about by meansof cam 132 on shaft 59, on which com a roller 167 on the free end of arm161 travels. As will be readily understootl, by, this mechanism theblock or plate 149 may be slid up and down and the cooperation of itsrollers 150 with the inclined or be eled faces of the arms 15:2 willcause the latter to rock or swing as desired. It is also desirable tobring about an upward travel of these arms or fingers 152 to bring 154,the other end of this lever 168 being,-

positioned beneath an 0 rating cam 172 on cam shaft 59, the end 0 thelever carrying, as is usual, an anti-friction roller 173 00- acting withthe cam. The block 154 has a depending portion 174 carryim anoutstanding pin 17 5, resting on the top of which is the end of a curvedarm 176 shaped so as to avoid the hub of lever 168 and pivoted on thelatter at 177, being pulled downwardly by .a coiled contractile spring178 secured to the arm and to the base of the machine at 179; By thismeans a constant: and efi'ect-ivc cooperation is secured between thelever 16S and the block or carrier 154, the lever being adapted to pushthe latter and its fin ers 152 upward positively, while the arm 176 isadapted to draw it down throu h the action of its spring 178. Y

Re erring now to the mechanism forgoverning the feed and omission of thecrosslinks, particular reference should be made to Figs. 1, 4 and 8. Onthe upstanding bracket .86 of the slide 85, I pivot at 180 a locking dog181 adapted to coope shoulder 182 on the locking block 88, such dogbeing under the influence of a spring 183 tending to swing it intooperative engagement with the shoulder 182. It will be apparent that ifsuch lockingdog 181 is rmitted to swin to the left as viewed in ig.

183 so as to overlie the portion or shoulder of the block 88, the latterwill be locked throughout its entire sliding movement in such positionthat the member 89 cannot descend and grip the wire; consequently, whenthe parts are in this relation, the reciprocation of the block 85 andits associated parts is inoperative as'far as feeding thewire 91 isconcerned. 51 will also be readily understood that if this wire is notfed, no crom links are formed for securing together the rate with a.

-8 under the in uence of its actuating spring- 7 a adjacent portions ofthe helically-arranged chain. The dog 181 has a. lug 184-..which ridesupon the periphery of a. governing or controlling disk 185 having at onepoint a marginal recess or notch 186 which, when brought intoregister'with the lug 184, permits the do 181 to swing into lockingengagement with the block 88. Beside the dog 181, I provide another 187,just lik it, an

under the influence of another spring 188, it being understood thateither one of the dogs may be brought into cooperative relation withtheshoulder 182, which is of su fficient length so as to underlie bothof such dogs. Another notched disk 189 coacts with nay-m. a. w...

the dog 18? in substantially the same way that the disk 195 cooperateswith the dog 1S1. I)i-k 185 has a ratchet wheel 190 fixed to the outerface thereof. both parts being capable of rotation on the lmb 191moui=.ted on a suitably supported stub shaft 192.

'Disk 1%9 has secured to one face thereof a similar ratchet wheel 193.and between the two disks I interpose a felt. leather or other frictiondisk or washer 194 having engagement with both of the disks over anextended area. On a suitably supported projecting pin 19.) I mount twoarms 196 and 197. the former having an apertured enlargement 19S fittedover and movable slightly longitudinally of the hub 19]. and between uchenlargement and the ratchet wheel 19?, I interpose a leather or othersuitable friction disk 199. The arm 19?, on the other hand. carries atits free end an anti-friction conically-pointed screw 200 engaging acorrespondingly-shaped recess in the cent r or axis of the outer ratchetwheel 190. The two arms 196 and 197 are normally pulled toward oneanother by a coiled contractile spring 201. shown partly broken away inFig. 4. It will be apparent therefore that. owing to the fact that thereis less friction on one side of the rat 'hct wheel 199'than on theopposite side 0 its com 'mnion disk 18.), the rotation of the parts 191;and 189 will be transmitted through the friction disk 191 to the parts185 and 190. It will also be apparent that owing to the.

i l'lt'lltlll between the ratchet wheel 193 and the leather disk 199.the latter will take the place of the usual stop pawl employed forpreventing backward movementof the ratchet wheel. Ratchet 193 is fedaround step by step by means of a spring-pressed pawl 202 (Fig. 8)pivoted on an arm 203 integral Lilli the hub 191 and capable ofoscillation on the shaft 192. such oscillation of the arm being broughtabout by the contact of an anti-friction roller 204 mounted thereon withhe outer edge of the upright cam-operated arm 94. a

.IS I have clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 8, I mount in a bearing 2053 ashaft 206 encircled at one end by a spring 207 connected thereto and tothe bearing and a-ting to yieldingly turn the shaft :in one direction.Fixed to the outer end of such shaft. I employ a hub 209 carrying twoext-ended arms 209 and 210. the latter having a hooked end 211 whichcoi'iperates with the ratchet wheel 190 and acts as a stop pawltherefor, normally preventing rotation thereof and of the. notched disk195. The other arm 209 lies in the path of travel of a rcarwardlyprojecting pin 212 extending backwardly form the ratchet wheel 1t 3, asI have clearly shown in Fig. 4. vThe construction is such that when thispin comes under the arm 209, the pawl arm 210 IS raised sutiiciently tod1stogether onlv at one anism takes place substantially as follows. it-

being understood that all of the cross links of one series are to beomitted. as shown in Figs. 28 and '29. and that a whole series of icross links are to be omitted successively so I as to substantiallyseparate one fabric from the next. the finished fabrics being connectedv point between a pair of links 80. In other words. the machine is soconstructed and devised thatevery fourteenth cross link will be omitted,and after twenty-seven sets of cross links have been put in place inthefabric. so as to fasten together twenty-eight connected sections oflongitudinal chain. a whole. series of fourteen links will be omitted.In order to cause the non-feeding of the wire. and thereby prevent theformation and application of every fourteenth link. the ratchet:- wheel193 is provided. the same having-fourteen teeth and a disk attachedthereto, characterized 189. having a single notch, so that when suchdisk and ratchet have completed one revolution. the lock 178 will betemporarily rendered operative so as to overlie the shoulder 182 andprevent the. feeding of the wire 91. whereby the omission of one link isbrought about. This omission occurs once in fourteen times. and causesthe non-application of cross links at the point characterized 213 inFigs. '28 and 29. When wire 91 is fed forwardly for the formation ofcross links. member 88 swings on its fulcrum to grip the wire beforeeither of the dogs or locks has time to swing into position by theaction of their springs to overlie shoulder 18?.

In order to bring about the omission of a whole series of fourteen linksone after the other. to separate one fabric from the next. the ratchetwheel 190 is employed. such wheel turning one twenty-eighth of a revolution for each complete revolution of the ratchet 193: that is, as thepin 212 comes under the arm Q09 once during each revolution of theratchet 193 .and disk 194. the stop-pawl arm 210 is temporarily raisedso that the disk 18:) and pawl 190 rotate one twenty-eighth of arevolution. due to their frictional engagement with the leatheror otherfriction disk 194 interposed between the two disks. Consequently. afterthe crossliuk forming and feeding mechanism has inserted twenty-eightseries of links, every fourteenth one of which is omitted. the notch indisk 13? will come into coiiperativc relation with th lock lSl,permitting the latter 3 to prevent feeding: ot'the cross-link wire:

i I the stroke hxmg the correct length 01 wire during a completerevolution of ratchet wheel 12) and disk 18!). thereby occasiomug theomis ion of fourteen links in succession. and consequently separatingone completed fabric from the next. As soon as such fourteen links havebeen omitted. however. the ratchet wheel 190 and disk 185 are rotatedone twentveighth of a revolution, bringing the no ch ot' the disk awayfrom lock 151. so that this lock no longer causes omission of linksuntil the notch again comes opposite the tooth or shoulder 18h the otherlock 18? in the meantime controlling the omission of every fourteenthlink.

The operation of the machine as a whole takes place in the followingmanner: Assuming that the shaft 42 and the chain support or sprocket '15are rotated intermittently step by step amounts corresponding to thelength of the longitudinal links of the chain or fabric b v means of theintermittent actuation of the pawl (52 through the cam (36, arm t andspring-pressed pawl 63, the shaft and chain or fabric support 45 beingfixedly locked against movement when stationary by means of thecotiperation of the lock 54 and the notched disk -18, the single. continuons caain '79 of longitudinal links 80 is fed to the bottom of thesprocket member 45 so that the links fall individually into theinnermost series of grooves 65, such chain hanging below the sprocket orchain support and engaging thegroove 69 of the intermediate series,passing over the top of the n1emher 45 and hanging in another loop belowthe then extending upwardly into the grooves of the outermost series, Isuch arrangement of the chain being what may he termed substantiallyhelical or spiral. In other words, various sections or portions of thesame clia-in are bron ht into parallel rclation'on the top side of thesprocket chain support, and it is to he understood, furthermore, thatthese loops or spirals of the c0ntinuous chain have each the number oflinks corresponding to the length of the finished fabric. In the presentinstance.. each loop has fourteen of such links. hen the links 80 engagethe groove 69, their enlarged heads rest upon the supporting flattenedends The wire 91 is fed forwardly when permitted by the controllingmechanism. being: pushed through the hole or aperture t-u against theopposite side of the member 101,

70 section to be severed for the formation of a cross link. The cam 145is so shaped and proportioned that during this inward feed ng of thewire 91 into the recess 11;. at one side of the tongue 10 and above theforming tongue 113. the sliding member 111 which carries such formingtongue. is locked and latched in stationary position by the latch 120coiiperatiug with the shoulder 121. After the wire has thus been fed.wardlv. 8 cam 14 depresses the arm 13? and the screw 139 atthe endthereof by engagement with the top rounded surface lOO of the member100, pushes the latter and the attached cutting and bending elements 103downwardly. 8 causing first the severing of the projected portion of thewire by the cooperation of the part 108 of the member 105 with thatportion of the element 101 haviugthe aperture 99. The downward movementof the parts 100, 105 and 106 continues, while the parts 111 and 113remain stationary, the result being that the members 105 and 106 headthe wire section 103 into the inverted U- -shaped form shown in Fig. 10,the wire dun 9 ing such bending occupying the curved eoncavities ofrecesses 110. 'l his downward movement of such parts and elementscoutinues. and during such movement the tingers 102 enter two of theparallel grooves U9, and engage the tops "of the links occupying suchgrooves to hold them fixedly in place during the application of thecross link to their loop heads. It should be understood that during thisdownward travel of the parts, the wire is maintained in the cavity 112by reason of the fact that the ongue 103 and the portion above. thelower extremity thereof lie just, at one side of such cavity. After thelink has been bent in the form shown in Fig. 10, cam 1-15 brings aboutthe depression of the arm 138, and thelatter by engagement with thebevel surface 122 of latch 190 rocks the same upon its pivot 119,releasing the sliding block 111 and the tongue 113, which it carries,the continued downward travel of the cam arm depressing or loweringthese two members to the position shown in Fi 20, and during suchmovement the U-haped link has its-legs inserted through the head loopsof two'ot the'parallel longitudinal links. The top rounded corners 116of the tongue 113 cause the proper bending of the wire at these, points.and when the tongue descends, as indicated, the cavities or recesses 11?on its opposite sides aeconunmlate portions of tlnloop heads of the twolongitudinal links. a 4 shown in Figs. 20 and 21. Thin opt-ration andactuation of the part-s brings the depending legs of the cross link intothe field of action of the pinching or bending lingers 152, the latterat their top ends being grooved at 152 for the acconnnmlation andreception of such portions of the cross link during the further bendingoperation. Cam 1 36. through the mechanism described above, slides theblock 1 19 downwardly, and owing to the coaction between the rollers 150mounted thereon and the inclined surfaces 1.31 of the pincher arms 152,the latter are caused to approach each other, assuming the v PUr'lilOIlshown in Fig. 21, and during such approach the depending cndslof thecross link engage the grooves 1'2" and are bent inwardly toward oneanother into substantially the shape shown in Fig. 11. Then theprojection 131 on cam 13;. rocks the shaft and the arm 121 carriedthereby, causing the retraction of the forniingtongue 113 from the crosslink, and, due to its cam control, the member 111 descends still fartherso as to push thecross link downwardly and to compensate for the removalof the forming tongue 113, as I have indicated -in Fi 22. Then thecam-controlled lever 168 slides bl. ck 154 and the pinching fingers 152carried thereby upwardly slightly into the position shown in Fig. 22,curving the em 5 of the cross link around the wire composing the headloops of the adjacent. longitudinal link. the cross link in its finishedcondition pres nting substantially the appearance indicaied in Fig. 12.The parts within the spro ket chain support 45 then descend, due to theaction of their cams, and theparts above the support ascend to theiroriginal positions, the sliding element or member 111 again becominglatched in its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 7, due to the upwardmovement of its cam arm away from the latch or lock 120, and, of course,the forming tongue 113 is again pro'ected n1- wardly beneath the recess112, rea y for the inward passage of thewire 91 above the same.

-The control of the feeding wire governing the formation and omission ofcross links has been set. forth in detail above, and does not needfurther elucidation here. Attention is directed, however, to the factthat the fabric being, formed presents approximately the appearanceshown in Fig. 28, and it will be readily understood that the completedfabric passes off onto the supporting tapered drum 46. These fabrics areordinarily transported in the condition in which they leave thismachine, and when it is desired to apply the same to a couch frame orthe like. the longitudinal links 80 are unhooked from one another on thetransverse line 213 of Figs. 52S and 29. the cross links at this pointbeing omitted. and the lengthwise links on oppositesides of this lineconstituting the end links of the finished fabric shown in Fig. 30.These terminal links 214 and 21!) have been sup lied. with the samereference characters in "igs. 29 and 3t). and in the latter figure thecoiled springs 216 by which these end links are attached to the couchframe have been illustrated.

This invention susceptible of a considerable variety of'etnbodiments,and for this reason I do not wish 'to have it understood that theinvention is'limited and restricted to the precise and exact details ofconstruction herein set. forth, but wish to have it understood that thestructure herein described may be modified in many respects withoutsacrificing any substantial benefits and advantages of the invention andwithoutdeparture from its substance and essence.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means tosuccessively arrange succeeding portions of a continuous fabric memberin substantial parallelism with other portions of said member, means tofeed cross-connecting members, and means to fasten said cross-connectingmembers to fabric member, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the character d scribed, thc'combination of means tosuccessively arrange succeeding portions of a continuous chain of wirelinks in substantial parallelism with other portions of said chain.means to feed cross-connecting links, and means to cent parallelsections of said chain, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a movablesupport to Sue'- cessively arrange succeeding portions ofva continuousfabric member in substantial parallelism with other portions of saidmember. means to feed cross-connecting members, and means to fasten saidcross-connecting. members to adjacent parallel sections of saidcontinuous fabric member, substantially as described.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a sup ortadapted to successively arrange succeeding portions of a continuouschain of wire links in substantial parallelism with other portions ofsaid chain, means to intermittently move said alle chain. portions, andmeans to fasten parallel chain portions, substantially as described. i

5. In a machine of the character described. the combination of a rotarysupport adapted to successively arrange succeeding portions of acontinuous chain of wire links in substantial parallelism with otherportions of said chain, means to intermittentlv rotate said support,means to feed cross links to the parall chain portions, and means tofasten said cross links to the adjacent paraladjacent parallel sections.of said continuous support. means to feed cross links to the parfastensaid cross-connecting links to adjasaid cross links to the links of theadjacent .,...-ni. o

links to the helix. and means to fasten each i cross-connectin link tolinks of adjacent coils of the chain, substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means tosuccessively arrange succeeding portions of a continuous :fahric memberin substantial parallelism with other portions of said member. means tofeed cross-connecting members. means to fasten each cross-connectingmember toadjacent parallel portions of the longitudinal members. andmeans governing the application of the cross-connecting members to thelongitudinal members to cause the 01111551011 thereof at predeterminedintervals, substantially as described.

9. In a machine -ofthe character described, the combination of means tosuccessively arrange succeeding ortions of a gontmnons chain of wirelinks insubstant al parallelism with other portions of said chain,

means to feed cross-connecting links in rows.

transversely of the parallel portions of the chain, means to fasten eachcross-connecting -hnk to links of adjacent parallel chain portions, andmeans governing the application of said cross-connecting links to causethe omission of a transverse row of said links at predeterminedintervals, substantially as descri 10. In a machine of the characterdescribed, the combination of means to suecesively arrange su'cceedinportions of a continuous chain of wire lin in substant al parallelismwith other portions of said chain, means to feed cross-connecting linksto rallel portions of said chain, means to asten said cross-connectinglinksto adjacent parallel sections of said chain, and means governingthe application of said cross links whereby to omit a series of the samin succession to automatically substantially separate one fabric fromthe next, substantiallv as described.

11. In a machine of the character dcscrihed. the combination of means tosucce's-awly arrange succeeding-portions of a continuous chain of wirelinks in subslan-- tially helical forn'i, means to feed cross links tthe helix. means to fasten said cross links to parallel strands of saidcham, means govparalleli m n' substanti;

eming the ap lication of said cross links and adapted to cau e theomission of a transverse row of snch links for each fabric, and meansgn'erning the application of said cross llnils whereby to omit a seriesof the same in szccession' to automatically substantially separate onefabric from the next, substantially as described.

[2. In a machine of the charzictcr described, the combination of meansto successively arrange szivcimling orth-ms of a continuous A ho linksin sulctantial h other gmrlion of said chain, iii-cans t f ed a strip ofwire. means to cut vii sections of said wire, means to Section im'ocross links. 1 :1- said (l' 'lfi links to adjacent para lel minus ofsaid chain, ."llllstanlially as described.

13. ln :2 ma 'lriiaof the. character lescribed. the combination of meansto Wind :1 continuous chain of Wire links into substantially helicalform. means to feed a strip of wire transversely to the coils f thehelix, means to cm oil sections of s "e means to form said czlz-oll'sect ons 1. M03; links, and 11197115 to srvurc said cross lllll l'nadjacent coils of the chain. substantially described.

14. In a axe-h s of the character (le- SCllllOl'l, nd a continua antially he a form, means to feed a strip of links t came an omission ofthe same at' predetermined intervals, substantial as described.

15. In a mzr' iinc of the character described, tiie connination of arotary cylinder externally recessed for the reception of the links of achain '1 adapted to arrange such links in saastantially helical form,means to feed cross links, and means to fasten said cross links to linksof adjacent coils of the chain While on the cylind r, substantially asdescribed.

16. In iii-a line of the character" described, the com. ation of meansto successively arrangesucceeding portions of a continuous (hair, ofwire links in substantial parallclismwith other portions of said chain,

means to feed a strip of wire, a forming tongue in the path of the.Wire, means to bend the ire about the tongue, means to apply said bentstrip to links of adjacent pa raliel Pf-IEZOES of thc'chain, and meansto bend the ends of said bent strip to prevent its detach t the links ofthe chain,

as cribed.

17. In a mac: re of the character dc scribed, the combination of meansto successively arrange succeeding portions of a continuous chain 'ofwire links m substantial parallelism with other portions of said chain.-a forming tongue. means to feed a strip of bent strip to prevent itsdetachment f m said links. substanmaily as described.

18. In a machine of the character described. the combination of means tosuccessively arrange succeeding portions of a continuous chain of wirelinks in substantial parallelism with other portions of said chain. aforming tongue, means to feed a strip of wire adjacent to said tongue,means to bend the strip of wire about said tongue, means to move saidforming tongue and bending means whereby to mpplv said bent wire stripan pair of links of adjacent parallel chain portions. and meansincluding a pair of pivote'd bending fingers to bend the ends of thewire strip to prevemt its detachment from the links of the chain,substantially as described.

19. In a machime of the character described, the combination of means tosupport the links adapted to form the longitudinal elements on" ametallic fabric, a forming tongue, meeans -to feed a strip of wireadjacentto sziikd tongue, means to bend said strip of wire about saidtongue, means to move said tonmne and bending means whereby to applysaid bent wire to said longitudinal links. :a pair of pivoted pinchingfingers adapted. no bend the ends of said strip to prevent is deachrnent from said links, and cam mean to actuate said pinching fingers,substantially as described. 1 v

20. In a machine of the character described, the combimmion of means tosupport the links adaprted to form the, longitudinal elements of ametallic fabric, a forming tongue, means to feed a strip of wireadjacent to said tongue, means to hold said strip of wire 0111 saidtongue, means to jib of wire to two of said 'the bend said strip of wireabout said forming tongue, means to more said holding means and tonguewhereby no apply said bent strip longitudinal links, means to withdrawsaid forming tongue from said Ibent Wire. said moving means actuatingsaid holding means to cause the further insertion of said bent wireafter removal of said tongue, and a pair of pinching fingels adapted tobend the ends of said bent strip to prevent its detachment from saidlinks, substantially as described.

21. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a drumhaving of grooves around its external surface and adapted to accommodatethe'links of a chain in substantially helical relation. the loops of thechain hauging below tlredrum, means for intermittently rotating saiddrum, and means to apply' cross links to the longitudinal links of thefabric in said grooves, substantially as described. Y

:22. In a machine of the character described; the combination of a drumhaving a plurality of parallel rows of grooves around its externalsurface adapted to accommodate the links of a chain in substantiallyhelical relation, the loops of-thc chain hanging below the drum, meansto intermittently rotate said drum, and means to applfv cross links tothe longitudinal links of the fabric in said grooves during thestationary periods of said drum in its intermittent rotation,substantially as described.

23. In a machine of. the character described, the combination of a drumhaving on its external surface a plurality of parallel rows of groovesextended around the' same and adapted to accommodate the llnksof a chainin substantially helical relation, the loops of the chainfhanging belowthe drum, means to intermittently rotate said drum, and 'means to formand links to the longitudinal links of the fabric in said grooves,substantially as described.

24. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a hollowapertured drum adapted to support portions of a chain in substantiallyparallel relation, means outside of said drum adapted to bend sectionsof wire to partially form cross links and apply the same to the parallelportions of the, chain on said support, and means inside of said drumadapted to complete the bending and application of said crosslinks,substantially as described.

25. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a hollowdrum having a plurality of rows of grooves around its external surfaceand adapted to accommodate the links of a chain in substantiallyhelicalrelation, the loops of the chain hanging below the drum, the lattr being apertured at intervals, means outside of said drum adapted topartially form. and cross links to the chain sup iorted on the drum, andpivoted pinching lingers inside of the drum adapted to complete thebending and application of said cross links, substantially as described.

26. In a machine of the character described, the combination of awirefeeding mechanism including a gripper for the wire,

: a pair of locks either of which is adapted to render said gripperinoperative upon the apply cross wire, a pair of rotary controllerscoiiperatmg with said locks, means to rotate one of said controllersstep by step, and means to an anti-friction means bearing a ainst theopposite side ofthe second control er, means to prevent rotation of saidsecond controller, and means to govern said latter means permitting saidsecond controller to rotate one step for each complete revolution of thecompanion controller, substantially as de-.

scribed.

I JOHN F. GAIL. Witnesses:

Wanm M. FULLER, Cum L. Rosmzow.

